By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer, Times Daily
Capt. Mark Thompson said the purpose of the Alabama Tactical Officers Association annual conference is really pretty simple.
“This week is all about training and getting better at what we do,” said Thompson, a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and president of the Alabama Tactical Officers Association. “We hope we never have to use this training, but it’s all about being prepared just in case.”
The conference, which was hosted by Muscle Shoals and Florence police, has attracted approximately 300 officers from throughout the state.
It is the first time the conference, which began Monday and concludes today, has ever been in the Shoals.
“It’s been some very intense and specialized training,” said Lt. Clint Reck, of the Muscle Shoals Police Department. “The trainers are very qualified and everyone who attends can’t help but take something away with them that will help them do their job better.”